What's Up Docs?
In this BBC Radio 4 podcast, Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken are on a mission to help us take better care of ourselves. Although they are identical twins, Chris and Xand are very different and they never stop thinking and arguing about science and health. They want to lead healthy, happy lives and as doctors, they want this for everyone. Yet they tussle over how best to get there. When it comes to looking after our own health, it can be confusing. Medicine and science produce amazing new treatments and diagnostics every day and we are bombarded with so many headlines and pieces of advice; but how are we supposed to know what's really best for us and then successfully apply it to our lives? Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken embrace this challenge; even as they marvel at the scientific breakthroughs, they grapple with the competing claims about health, wellbeing and how to live. From understanding testosterone therapies to microplastics in our diets, and the concept of 'hangriness' to the power of saying no - this podcast deals with the health stresses we all face every day, while taking on board how the decisions by corporations and governments affect all our health. Each episode, Chris and Xand are joined by an expert guest to examine the latest research, psychological insights, and data, to help listeners navigate the overwhelming amount of information and advice out there. They talk about the trials and tribulations in their own lives in their characteristically witty way - each teasing the other as they search for solutions. Xand has trouble sleeping , Chris has noisy knees, one of them has got an embarrassing itch. They have different ways of looking at things and find it really helpful to get the other one's point of view. These doctors are trying their best and encouraging listeners to do the same. Email: [email protected] Whatsapp: 08000 665123 A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.
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Recent Episodes
Doctors' Notes: Shoulders
Mar 03, 2026Chris and Xand continue their conversation about endometriosis with Kate Haynes, Chartered Human Physiotherapist and Veterinary Physiotherapist. The doctors want to know how to maintain shoulder heal...
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Dr. Chris Van Tulleken and Dr. Xand Van Tulleken continue their conversation with Kate Haynes, a chartered physiotherapist who works with both humans and animals, particularly horses. In this extended discussion, they explore the fascinating intersection of human and animal physiology, delving into how Kate's work with horses has transformed her approach to treating human patients. The conversation reveals surprising anatomical differences between human and horse shoulders, the importance of bringing intentional energy to healthcare consultations, and practical exercises for maintaining shoulder health.
- The Intersection of Human and Animal Physiotherapy
- Horses as Teachers: Reading Energy and Emotion
How can you best look after your shoulders?
Mar 03, 2026Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken cut through the confusion around every aspect of our health and wellbeing. In this episode, Chris...
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Drs. Chris and Zand dive into shoulder health, exploring common causes of shoulder pain and practical ways to maintain shoulder strength and mobility. They speak with physiotherapist Kate Haynes, who works with both humans and horses, about impingement, rotator cuff tears, and frozen shoulder. The episode emphasizes that simple exercises like wall press-ups and pendulum movements can significantly improve shoulder health, and that maintaining good posture is crucial for preventing shoulder problems.
- Understanding Common Shoulder Problems
- The Power of Posture
Doctors' Notes: Endometriosis
Feb 24, 2026Chris and Xand continue their conversation about endometriosis with Dr Chi Eziefula, Associate Professor in Global Health and Infection at Brighton and Sussex Medical School. The doctors want to know...
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In this Doctor's Notes episode, Dr. Chris and Dr. Zand van Tulleken speak with Dr. Chi Ezeifler about endometriosis, exploring why this common condition remains dramatically underfunded and understudied. The conversation delves into the systemic biases in medical research that have historically neglected women's health, the lack of adequate diagnostic tools and animal models, and the promising developments that offer hope for better understanding and treatment in the future.
- The Crisis in Endometriosis Research Funding
- Historical Bias Against Women in Medical Research
How can we better understand endometriosis?
Feb 24, 2026Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken cut through the confusion around every aspect of our health and wellbeing. In this episode, Chris...
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Dr. Chris and Dr. Zand explore endometriosis, a debilitating gynecological condition affecting one in ten women of reproductive age in the UK. They discuss the shocking eight-year average diagnostic delay, the underlying biology of wayward endometrial cells, and how this condition exemplifies the systematic neglect of women's health in medical research and practice. Expert guest Dr. Chi Ezefula provides crucial insights into symptoms, diagnosis challenges, and the structural failures that prevent timely care.
- The Diagnostic Crisis in Endometriosis
- Understanding the Biology of Endometriosis
Doctors' Notes: Immune Health
Feb 17, 2026Chris and Xand continue their conversation about immune health with Prof Dan Davis, Head of Life Sciences and Professor of Immunology at Imperial College London. The doctors want to know more about t...
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In this Doctor's Notes deep dive episode, hosts Dr. Chris and Dr. Zand Van Tilleken continue their conversation with Professor Dan Davis, an immunologist at Imperial College London. The discussion explores the intricate biology of the immune system, moving beyond the myth of 'boosting immunity' to examine how the immune system actually works, the relationship between exercise and immune health, and the complex world of autoimmune diseases. Davis emphasizes the importance of understanding scientific evidence through specific experiments rather than broad generalizations, highlighting how the immune system is a sophisticated network of specialized components rather than a simple on/off switch.
- From Physics to Immunology: Dan Davis's Scientific Journey
- Anatomy of the Immune System: Beyond White Blood Cells
Does your immune system need boosting?
Feb 17, 2026Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken cut through the confusion around every aspect of our health and wellbeing. What defines a well-fu...
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Dr. Xand and Dr. Chris explore the complex world of the immune system with Professor Dan Davis from Imperial College London. They debunk common myths about immune boosting products, discuss the balance between underactive and overactive immune systems, and examine what truly affects immune health. The conversation reveals why simple solutions to 'boost' immunity are largely ineffective and explores the genetic diversity that makes each person's immune system unique.
- The Complexity of the Immune System
- When the Immune System Goes Wrong
Doctors' Notes: Kissing
Feb 10, 2026Chris and Xand dig deeper into the evolution of kissing. They ask what first drew our guest into this unusual area of research, why evidence that humans and Neanderthals kissed is so significant, and ...
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Dr. Matilda Brindle, an evolutionary biologist from the University of Oxford, discusses her groundbreaking research on the evolutionary origins of kissing. Using comparative analysis across primate species, she traces romantic kissing back approximately 17 million years to the common ancestor of all great apes. The conversation explores why this seemingly frivolous behavior persists despite disease transmission risks, how kissing appears across species from polar bears to ants, and the compelling evidence that humans and Neanderthals likely kissed each other. The research challenges cultural assumptions about kissing being universal and highlights significant gaps in scientific understanding of this fundamental human behavior.
- Introduction to Kissing Research and Evolutionary Biology
- Kissing Across the Animal Kingdom
Why do we kiss?
Feb 10, 2026Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken try to get to the bottom of the ideas shaping our health and wellbeing. In this Valentine’s Day-...
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Dr. Chris and Dr. Zand explore the science of kissing with evolutionary biologist Dr. Matilda Brindle from Oxford University. They investigate why humans kiss, how it evolved, what happens in our bodies during a kiss, and whether kissing is necessary for health and wellbeing. The conversation covers everything from mate assessment and immune system benefits to the exchange of 80 million bacteria during intimate kisses, while emphasizing that kissing, like other sexual behaviors, exists on a flexible spectrum.
- Defining the Kiss: What Counts as Kissing?
- Why Do Humans Kiss? Mate Assessment and Arousal
Doctors' Notes: Focus
Feb 03, 2026Drs Chris and Xand continue their conversation about focus with Duncan Astle, Professor of Neuroinformatics at the Department of Psychiatry at Cambridge University. Chris and Xand want to know what t...
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Professor Duncan Astle, a neuroscientist at Cambridge University, explores the complexities of attention and focus in this insightful episode. He challenges the pathologization of attention difficulties, explaining how attention operates in the brain and why some people struggle more than others. The discussion covers practical strategies for managing attention, the nuances of ADHD diagnosis, the controversial role of medication, and how naturally occurring differences in attention were likely advantageous in our evolutionary past.
- Understanding Attention as Brain Function, Not Just Disorder
- Interest vs. Attention: The Role of Curiosity in Learning
How can you improve your focus?
Feb 03, 2026Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken cut through the confusion around every aspect of our health and wellbeing. In this episode, Chris...
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In this episode of What's Up Docs, Dr Chris and Dr Zand explore the neuroscience of attention and focus with Professor Duncan Astle from Cambridge University. They discuss why multitasking is difficult, how individual differences in attention affect learning and work, the role of ADHD, and practical strategies for improving focus in an increasingly distracting world. The conversation reveals that while attention isn't easily 'trainable,' environmental modifications and understanding how our brains naturally allocate attention can help us concentrate better.
- The Neuroscience of Attention: How Our Brains Focus
- Individual Differences in Attention and ADHD
Daily Dose: Laughter
Jan 30, 2026In this Daily Dose, Chris and Xand return to their episode on laughter with Professor Sophie Scott CBE, a leading expert in the neuroscience of laughter, from University College London. Sophie explain...
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In this Daily Dose episode, hosts Chris and Xand return to the subject of laughter with Professor Sophie Scott, CBE, an expert in the neuroscience of laughter from University College London. The discussion explores how laughter functions as a positive evolutionary trait in humans, how babies use laughter to learn about intentions and social situations, and the developmental journey of understanding laughter's social role throughout childhood.
- Introduction to Laughter as an Evolutionary Trait
- Learning Intentions Through Laughter
Daily Dose: Core Strength
Jan 29, 2026In this Daily Dose, Chris and Xand return to their episode on core strength with physiotherapist James Moore. James highlighted why exercising our core can help us live long and strong, but doesn’t ha...
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This Daily Dose episode features physiotherapist James Moore discussing core strength and training. The conversation moves beyond traditional six-pack abs to explore what the core really is, why it matters for daily life, and how to maintain core health through varied, manageable exercise routines that fit into everyday activities.
- Understanding Core Strength Beyond Aesthetics
- Little and Often: The Variety Approach to Core Training
Daily Dose: Fibre
Jan 28, 2026In this Daily Dose, Chris and Xand return to their episode on fibre with Dr Deirdre Tobias. Deirdre outlined why fibre is important for our diets and where we should be getting it from. Daily Doses o...
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Dr. Deirdre Tobias discusses the importance of dietary fiber, emphasizing that variety matters less than getting fiber from whole food sources rather than supplements. She explains why naturally occurring fiber in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is more beneficial than industrially added or supplemental fiber, and cautions that supplements may mask underlying dietary issues.
- The Variety Question: Does Fiber Type Really Matter?
- Whole Food Fiber vs. Supplements: A Critical Distinction
Doctors' Notes: Diet
Jan 27, 2026Drs Chris and Xand continue their conversation about food with Professor of Psychology Ashley Gearhardt. Drawing on her clinical experience, they explore what it means to live with food addiction and ...
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Professor Ashley Gearhart, a clinical psychologist from the University of Michigan, discusses the science of food addiction, drawing compelling parallels between tobacco and ultra-processed foods. She explains how the same companies, technologies, and even flavor molecules used in cigarettes are now employed in creating addictive food products. Gearhart details her pioneering work developing the Yale Food Addiction Scale and advocates for formal recognition of food addiction as a clinical diagnosis, while offering compassionate, practical advice for those struggling with ultra-processed foods.
- Ashley Gearhart's Journey into Food Addiction Research
- The Shocking Parallels Between Tobacco and Food Processing
How can we sustain a healthy diet?
Jan 27, 2026Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken cut through the confusion around every aspect of our health and wellbeing. In this episode, Chris...
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In this episode of What's Up Docs, Dr Chris and Dr Zand explore why maintaining a healthy diet is so challenging for many people. They speak with Professor Ashley Gearhart, a leading expert on addictive eating behaviors, who explains how ultra-processed foods are engineered to drive overconsumption. The conversation shifts focus from personal blame and willpower to understanding how the food industry designs products that hijack our brain's reward systems, making it genuinely difficult to make healthy choices.
- The Challenge of Batch Cooking and Food Variety
- Reframing the Food Conversation Beyond Weight Loss
Daily Dose: Fresh Breath
Jan 26, 2026In this Daily Dose, Drs Chris and Xand return to their episode on fresh breath with Dr Praveen Sharma. Praveen walked the docs through the best way to take care of our teeth and how we should be think...
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A daily dose episode featuring Dr. Praveen Sharma, a consultant in restorative dentistry, who shares expert guidance on optimal oral health practices. The episode focuses on establishing a mindful, effective tooth-brushing routine with specific timing and technique recommendations to maximize dental health and fresh breath.
- The Philosophy of Mindful Toothbrushing
- Quality Over Quantity: Once vs Twice Daily
Daily Dose: Saying 'No'
Jan 23, 2026In this Daily Dose, Chris and Xand return to their episode on the power of saying no, with Dr Sunita Sah from Cornell University. Sunita had a fantastic point on how saying no is linked to our values ...
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A discussion about the power of saying no and aligning actions with personal values, featuring insights from Dr. Sunita Saar from Cornell University. The conversation explores how understanding and acting on your core values can reduce stress and prevent burnout, while constant compliance with others' demands takes a hidden toll on our well-being.
- The Challenge of Saying No
- Understanding Your Values
Daily Dose: Backs
Jan 22, 2026In this Daily Dose, Chris and Xand return to their episode on backs with Dr Mindy Cairns, Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist and Associate Professor at the University of Hertfordshire. Mindy o...
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In this Daily Dose episode from What's Up Docs, hosts Chris and Xand reflect on their conversation with Dr. Mindy Cairns, a specialist musculoskeletal physiotherapist, about back pain management and prevention. The discussion emphasizes trusting your spine's inherent strength, the importance of movement over fear avoidance, and practical exercises that actually work. Dr. Cairns provides actionable advice on managing back pain through simple movements and explains why complicated exercise routines often fail while simpler approaches succeed.
- Introduction: Movement as Medicine for Back Pain
- Understanding Fear Avoidance and Spine Strength
Daily Dose: Protein
Jan 21, 2026In this Daily Dose, Chris and Xand are return to their episode on protein with Nita Forouhi, Professor of Population Health and Nutrition at the University of Cambridge. Nita had a very clear message...
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In this Daily Dose episode of What's Up Docs, Professor Nita Farooqi from the University of Cambridge addresses the protein supplement craze and whether most people actually need them. She provides clear guidance on getting protein from whole foods rather than processed supplements and protein-enriched products, explaining the concept of food matrix and why real foods are superior to isolated protein products.
- The Protein Mania Phenomenon
- The Problem with Protein-Enriched Products
Doctors' Notes: Exercise
Jan 20, 2026Chris and Xand continue their conversation about exercise with Dr Jo Blodgett, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health at University College in London. She’s a life-cours...
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Dr. Joe Blodgett, a senior research fellow at UCL's Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health, discusses exercise across different life stages and circumstances. The conversation explores how physical activity benefits people regardless of age, gender, or health status, with particular focus on menstruation, menopause, and aging. Blodgett emphasizes that it's never too late to start exercising and introduces the concept of 24-hour movement patterns rather than viewing exercise as separate from daily life.
- Exercise Guidelines for Older Adults
- Starting Exercise and Avoiding Injury